Thursday, 3 March 2016

Okatia legend re-told

Long long ago, there was a big, mighty, tall, tree. But it was no ordinary tree it was a strong, fierce tree. Inside lived a majestic spirit

called Okatia. The Totara tree was his home. After his neighbours the chirping bluebirds told him stories about the wonderful, sparkly sea. He was very sad because the sea sounded bigger than him.

His sadness turned to rage so he pulled up his roots and he raged and raced to the sea destroying the forest, annoying Tane. Little branches snapping and rocks flying ... Tiny ferns, damp earth and rocks jumped to safety on the massive tree, until he came to a rock wall which matched him in size and beauty. Okatia pushed and pushed, branches coming off in the process. Using all his might he made the rock wall crack. Finally, he stumbled like a rock rolling off a hill, breaking his bones, breaking his fear. Soon, no more fear ran through his body. He stumbled slowly along to the sea.

Suddenly he heard a wild, horrific sound was heard baffling him. He was terrified. He had a look of shock, eyes bulging. He turned around and to his surprise, the rushing water shot into his mouth. The salty bizarre tasting water became familiar. “This must be the sea.” thought Okatia. He grinned in delight. Soon slammed his arm in the water, chucked his branches, letting them swim, and skulking around him letting the elegant, sparkling water flow, into the thrashing ocean. Okatia laid slump as he crawled across the sandy beach.

He headed toward the bubbling and foamy ocean. He let the waves of Moana carry him away into the saltiness of the rough rushing sea. He laid down, letting Tangaroa the sea God carry him into the long lasting sea, never wanting to show his branches ever again.

The sloppy brown waters from the amazing, mighty Totara’s path, went through the snowy high frosty winds, all the way to the mini ocean. They travelled swiftly into Te Apiti and the Manawatu gorge. The large gap in the

tall hills where Okatia crashed at the end of his adventure marks the wide mouth of the Manawatu River at Foxton Beach.